Heatwave And Holiday

Georgina Rannard 

For decades holidaymakers have poured into resorts and islands in southern Europe for a relaxing break in the summer sun. But the scenes of tourists fleeing wildfires in Greece, or trapped indoors unable to enjoy baking beaches in Spain, may give some people second thoughts.

Back-to-back heatwaves brought sweltering temperatures in the 40s to parts of Europe in July, which is expected to break records for the world's hottest month ever recorded. Climate change played an "absolutely overwhelming" role in the heat, scientists have concluded - and it is forecast to get worse as the average global temperature keeps rising.

Europe is warming faster than most parts of the world, experts say.How are holidaymakers reacting? There is no sign of immediate panic. So far this summer, British demand for foreign holidays seems unchanged by the sweltering temperatures, says travel expert Simon Calder.

As for the future, holidaymakers appear split on whether the heat will stop them travelling to certain spots. Becky Mulligan, from Leicester, was evacuated from Rhodes, Greece during wildfires last week. It put her off travelling abroad for a while. "I always thought the hotter the better. I was completely oblivious to how hot it could be. I wouldn't go somewhere so hot again," she says. She would much rather go abroad in June when it is cooler, but says that the school holidays means her family can only travel when temperatures are hottest.

Simon Wheatley, from Cheltenham, was also evacuated from a Rhodes hotel along with his fiancée and three-year-old son. He says he is not put off from going back to Greece in summer. "We just feel we were in the wrong place at the wrong time," he says, but adds he would rather travel earlier in the year next time. He says that it is important to remember the crucial economic role of tourism. Some climate campaigners are frustrated with a lack of urgency over changing travel, given that flying contributes a significant amount to greenhouse gas emissions. 

Andrew Simms, co-director of the green think tank the New Weather Institute, says: "At first it might seem odd that many might still jump on a climate-polluting flight to holiday in exactly the places where 'global boiling', as the UN calls it, will make life harshest, if not intolerable." But people receive mixed messages, he says.

"All day, every day, people are exposed to adverts promoting polluting high-carbon products and lifestyles that make them seem normal, when flying to hotspots should trigger an emergency warning," he says.

Some people are likely to always risk booking a trip during a heatwave. But it is worth remembering that heat can be dangerous and even deadly, says Dr Ellie Murtagh, UK climate adaptation lead at the British Red Cross. "If you are travelling with older people, pregnant women, young children or someone with a chronic health condition; take extra care to make sure they're safe and healthy."

Simon Calder says he hopes there will be a move back to holidays like those before "the jet age of mass air travel began". Places like the coast of Belgium, or resorts in the Netherlands and Ireland, could become more popular, as could travel to the UK, he suggests. "I would imagine that the North Sea and Baltic Beaches are going to get it a bit crowded next summer as a result of what we've seen this year," he adds.

--BBC